Hearts chairman Calum Paterson seeks transparency and consistency in Scottish football decisions
Hearts chairman Calum Paterson reflects on last season's final-day title loss, calls for clearer decision-making, and updates on investment and the chief executive search.
Heart of Midlothian chairman Calum Paterson has called for "greater transparency and consistency around key decisions in Scottish football" in an interview with club media marking his first year in the role. Paterson balanced pride in Hearts' near-miss with frustration over how the season's climax was handled.
Hearts topped the Premiership for 250 days but finished two points behind Celtic after a final-day defeat in Glasgow. Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring for the visitors, but the reigning champions scored two late goals to win 3-1, prompting a pitch invasion by home supporters and a hurried exit for the beaten challengers, who raised safety concerns.
Paterson said the final week was difficult on several fronts. He questioned the "unprecedented decision" that the team leading the league at the split had to play its last game away from home, and described the closing circumstances as completely unacceptable from Hearts' perspective. He said the club took advice and made its concerns clear to the authorities. The SPFL had explained its scheduling in April, noting Celtic were due three post-split home matches to Hearts' two and that city derbies are ruled out on the final day for public safety.
Despite the disappointment, Paterson paid tribute to players and staff, saying they deserved a better outcome but achieved something exceptional in pushing so close to ending four decades of Old Firm dominance. He acknowledged the club's post-match communication should have been clearer and said supporters should know Hearts did everything possible to stand up for them.
On investment at Tynecastle, where Brighton owner Tony Bloom is a high-profile investor, Paterson said discussions are going well but declined to get ahead of them. He said any successful conclusion would strengthen the club fundamentally and support its ambitions, alongside a developing player trading model. He also said there are "very strong candidates" in the search for a new chief executive to replace Andrew McKinlay, who departed in August.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
